Channa nachi the new Snake Head fish of Meghalaya
Channa nachi is a newly identified snakehead fish species in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills. With its striking bicolour pattern and deep cultural roots, this remarkable discovery highlights Northeast India’s rich aquatic biodiversity.
In a revelation that has the scientific community buzzing like a beehive on a hot summer’s day, Meghalaya has once again asserted itself as a biodiversity hotspot with the discovery of a brand-new snakehead fish species—Channa nachi. Found in the serene waters of a stream near Chokpot village in South Garo Hills, this slippery little number has scientists and fish enthusiasts alike rather excited.
A crack team of researchers—J Praveenraj, N Moulitharan, A Pavan Kumar, RS Naveen, T Thackeray, R Yumnam, and SD Gurumayum—have taken it upon themselves to formally introduce Channa nachi to the world, detailing its distinctive features and ecological importance in a recent study. The fish, it turns out, was just quietly minding its own business in a shallow, slow-moving tributary of the Simsang River, rubbing fins with its more established neighbours like Schistura reticulofasciata, Dario kajal, and Pseudolaguvia sp. But Channa nachi was never meant to be a wallflower—it’s got style.
A Fish with a Fashion Statement
Described as having a “slender body with a bicolour pattern,” Channa nachi seems to have taken its colour palette straight from a designer’s sketchbook—creamish-yellow to pale-brown at the front, with a dramatic, rich blue towards the rear. A touch of pale-blue marbling on the ventral side and a series of 10–12 pale brown saddles on the dorsal half complete its unique aesthetic. Notably, this fish has opted out of the usual spots and blotches, choosing instead to keep things sleek and minimalistic—perhaps an underwater lesson in less is more.
A Name Rooted in Local Culture
The species’ name, Channa nachi, is derived from the Garo language, where “nachi” is a local term for the fish. This linguistic nod highlights the intrinsic connection between Meghalaya’s indigenous communities and their rich aquatic biodiversity. In fact, credit for first spotting this fish goes to local nature enthusiast Farham Sangma, who, back in 2020, astutely captured images of the mystery swimmer and shared them with Dr Praveenraj. Thus, in a rare and rather heartwarming turn of events, the species now boasts an unofficial common name—“Farham’s snakehead.” Now, that’s what you call making a splash in the world of taxonomy.
Conservation and the Fishy Future
While aquarium enthusiasts are already eyeing Channa nachi as a potential showstopper for their tanks, scientists are urging caution. With the ornamental fish trade booming, the appeal of rare and exotic species could put further strain on the already fragile freshwater ecosystems of Northeast India. Conservationists are calling for immediate measures to protect these unique species and their habitats before the streams of Meghalaya become mere shadows of their former selves.
As researchers continue to refine their identification methods using both morphological and molecular data, one thing is clear—Northeast India’s aquatic biodiversity remains a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Channa nachi is just another reminder that sometimes, the most remarkable discoveries are right under our noses—or, in this case, swimming quietly beneath the surface, waiting for their moment in the limelight.
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